Evil Machinations

Meadowbrook Needs You! — Win D...

Posted on Sep 30 2009 | 6 Comments

Back in June, I created a town called “Meadowbrook”. This month, I’m sponsoring a contest based on that town. All you have to do is create a NPC — an inhabitant of Meadowbrook — using the information... Read More »

Beg, Borrow, and Steal

Posted on Sep 28 2009 | 2 Comments

Evil Machinations is branching out. Starting 6 October 2009, I’ll be publishing a free weekly newsletter called “Beg, Borrow, and Steal”. Not a repeat of my blog posts, BB&S will contain: Small locations you can drop into any game — a tavern, an inn, a spaceport, etc. NPCs — people you can add to your game How to’s for... Read More »

Building Better NPCs III: Character ...

Posted on Sep 25 2009 | 1 Comment

What is a character web? A character web is a map — a specific kind of map that charts the relationships of NPCs to one another. It’s a great tool for figuring out how one NPC may respond to another — or... Read More »

Building Better NPCs II: 8 Steps to ...

Posted on Sep 23 2009 | No Comments

You’ve got your NPCs classified. You’ve separated the extras and walk-ons from the bit players and major characters. But how exactly do you go about creating those unique characters? Here’s a step-by-step... Read More »

Building Better NPCs I: Extras, Walk...

Posted on Sep 21 2009 | 1 Comment

Not every NPC needs to be memorable. Some can be a barely-noticed presence in the PCs lives, while others need to cast a shadow over everything the players do. While NPCs are vitally important, most GMs have limited time... Read More »

Handling Problem Players

Posted on Sep 17 2009 | 1 Comment

We all get them: the incessant rules lawyer who challenges your every call; the “loopholer” who will exploit everything not nailed down in the rules to gain that extra +1 advantage; the player who takes everything... Read More »

How Do You Describe Combat?

Posted on Sep 15 2009 | 9 Comments

Every GM has a weak spot — mine is running combats. I can manage all of the die rolling and number crunching and “who’s turn is it”, but I am woefully inadequate when it comes to describing combat so that it moves beyond “he hits you with a sword and does 8 points of damage.” I’m also “tactically-challenged”... Read More »

Missing You: When the GM Can’t...

Posted on Sep 10 2009 | 1 Comment

Players aren’t the only ones who miss the occasional game session. Every once in a while the GM gets called into work at the last moment, or his wife (or the GM herself!) goes into labor early… there are numerous... Read More »

From the Basement: Everyway

Posted on Sep 04 2009 | 4 Comments

I’m starting a new feature here in this blog. In “From the Basement” posts, I’m going to dig up an older game and review it. Today’s game is Everway. I have to admit, when it came out, I paid... Read More »

More Game Quotes

Posted on Sep 01 2009 | No Comments

Here are more quotes from actual game sessions: General and Out of Character “This is better than being several hundred people at once.” “Do you have something to offer up to me as a ‘Get Self Stuck in Appliance’ skill?” “Give me a resisted Style roll.” “It’s been changed from commercial to... Read More »